Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

Bantamweight Blowup

A few months ago, T.J.
Dillashaw was not even the bantamweight division’s No. 1
contender. Following a dominant victory over Renan Barao
at UFC
173, the Team Alpha Male representative is the clear-cut king
of the 135-pound division.

Dillashaw set the tone for his victory by dropping Barao with a
right hand in the opening frame. Things would not improve for the
Brazilian from there, as “The Ultimate Fighter 14” finalist kept
Barao on his heels throughout the contest with rapid-fire striking
and quick footwork. With his 22-fight winning streak a thing of the
past, Barao has been removed from the ranks of the sport’s elite
champions.

Meanwhile, Daniel
Cormier throttled Dan
Henderson in the UFC 173 co-headliner, a performance that no
doubt struck fear into the hearts of light heavyweights throughout
the division’s top 10. Some two months after narrowly losing out on
welterweight gold, Robbie
Lawler reaffirmed his spot as one of the top contenders at 170
pounds with a third-round stoppage of Jake
Ellenberger.

Earlier this month, Matt Brown
made a case for a step up in competition with a memorable
third-round TKO of Erick Silva
at UFC Fight Night in Cincinnati. “The Immortal” has now won seven
straight fights inside the Octagon and figures to receive a top-10
foe the next time around.